Roller sign mechanism



Oct. 31, 1939. w. e. HAR'IWIG 2,177,715

ROLLER SIGN MECHANISM Filed June 21, 1937 4 Sheets-$heet 1 W. G. HARTWIGROLLER SIGN MECHANISM Filed June 21, 193? Oct. 31, 1939.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 31, 1939. w. G. HARTWIG ROLLER SIGN MECI'IANISMFiled June 21, 19:57

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 31, 1939 UNITED STATES ROLLER SIGNMECHANISM William G. Hartwig, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Railway UtilityCompany, Chicago, 111., a. corporation of Illinois Application June 21,1937,,Scrial 310. 149,328

21 Claims.

This invention relates to signs such as may be found on street cars,trains and buses, and is concerned more particularly with those of thevariable type operable to selectively display dif- 5 ferent signcharacters.

An object of my invention is to render more facile the manipulation of avariable sign.

Another object is to provide an improved control for a variable sign. Afurther object is to provide improved bearing means for releasablysupporting a roller of a roller type Web sign.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved bearingstructure. Other objects and. advantages of the invention will appear asthe description proceeds.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which--Fig. 1 is a broken front elevation of the drive and. associatedmechanism built in accordance with one form of my invention, withportions sectioned.

Fig. 2 is a section of the releasable bearing structure of Fig. 1, takenas indicated by the line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but shows the parts in their relativepositions prior to assembly'of the bearing With the roller trunnion tobe journaled therein.

: 9 Fig. 4 shows separated and in perspective the elements providing thebearing surfaces of the bearing structure of Figs. 2 and 3.

Figs. 5 and 6 are views corresponding to Figs. 2 and 3, but of anotherform of releasable bearing embodying my invention.

Fig. '7 is a section taken as indicated by the line '|-l in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a section taken as indicated by the line 88 in Fig. 6.

Figs. 9 and 10 are views corresponding to Figs. 2 and 3, but of stillanother form of releasable bearing embodying my invention.

Fig. 11 is a section taken as indicated by the line ll-ll in Fig. 10.

,50 leased. as will appear.

Fig. 14. is a fragmentary section-elevation of a modified handleconstruction.

1 Fig. 15 is a fragmentary rear elevation of another drive and controlmechanism embodying my invention.

Fig. 16 is a section taken as indicated by the line Iii-16 in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17-isa view similar to Fig. 13 but of another form of theinvention.

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary front elevation of the 5 Fig. 19 is asectionalView showing a further modified handle construction. Fig. 20 is asectional view taken as indicated by the line 2ll2ll in Fig. 19. 10

In accordance with the illustrated embodimerits of my invention, thesign is of the roller type comprising in general a pair of spacedrollers or spools l9 and 20 to which the ends A of a ribbon or web B aresecured. Suitable sign 1!! characters C are formed or mounted on the weband the latter is wound about the spools and operated in such mannerthat either pays out While the other accumulates, so as to selectivelydisplay between the spools any of a plurality of 20 informative legends.

Each spool or roller has at one end a shaft extension or trunnion 2|journaled in a bearing 22 carried by an end wall plate 23 adapted to besecured as at 24 to a supporting wall. The 25 other shaft end of eachroller is also in; the

form of a trunnion 2B which may be releasably journaled in a bearing 21carried by an other end wall plate 28 secured as at 29 to a supportingWall. 30

The bearing 2'! chosen for illustrative purposes 1 comprises a U-shapedbracket 3| mounted at its ends on the wall plate 28 and having itsintermediate portion 32 projecting toward the roller. The portion 32 hasa notch 33 of a size to re- 35 ceive and journal the roller trunnion 26.A latch 35 is slidably. carried by the portion 32 by means of a plunger36 passing through the latch. The plunger has its ends passing throughthe bracket, one end 31 being headed to prevent its retraction "and theother end 38 being held in shou1- dered engagement with the latch by aspring 39. The latch has a bearing notch 4| arranged to receive theportion of the trunnion 26 adapted to project 'endwise beyond the notch33. When the manipulating end 38 of the plunger is pushed, thelatch ismoved out from under the trunnion I26 ,toallow"the trunnion to be freedof the bearing; i

A modified bearing for the trunnion 26 ism shownat' 21a in Figs. 5 to 8.It includes a bracket 31a. mounted on the wall plate 28 and having aU-shaped portion 32a providing a notch 33a of a size'to' receive andjournal the trunnion .26. A latch 35a is carried by the bracket and hassliding movement limited by engagement of the bracket ear 36a with theshoulder 31a and drawer pull 38a of the latch. The latch is held by thespring 39a in bridging relation to the U-shaped portion 32a so as toprevent accidental removal of the trunnion 26. The bridging portion didof the latch may be square as shown, round or of any other suitableshape.

A further modified bearing for the trunnion 26 is shown in Figs. 9, 10and 11. It comprises a pin 43 secured to the wall plate 28 by a reducedextension 43a and having a U-groove 44 of a length to accommodate thetrunnion, the latter beng insertable and removable by crossaxialmovement in each case. A latch collar 45 is rotatably mounted on the pin43 and has an arcuate recess 46 in which a spring 41 is compressedbetween a handle 48 removably mounted on the collar and a stop 49mounted on the wall plate. The collar is adapted to be moved against thespring pressure to bring its slot into register with the groove 44, toallow the trunnion to be inserted into and removed from the groove. Whenthe handle is released, the collar is held by the spring in the positionshown in Fig. 9, the handle abutting another stop 51 removably mountedon the wall plate. The walls of the groove and slot provide adequatebearing area for the trunnion 25.

The mechanism just described is adapted to be disassembled to enable thespring or any other part to be replaced. To this end the pin 43 has anannular groove 50a which communicates with the slot 50. The inner end 52of the handle 48 projects into this groove. While the mechanism isoperatively assembled, the handle end 52 is retained in the groove 50a.When the collar is to be removed, the stud 5| is withdrawn, allowing thecollar to turn until the handle end 52 is free of the groove 58a andextends into the slot 50. Now the collar may be drawn axially free ofthe pin 43, enabling the spring to be replaced. By reverse manipulationthe repaired collar may be replaced.

As is apparent, the various bearings readily lend themselves tolubrication.

Each trunnion 2i has fixed thereto a gear which appears at 53 and mesheswith an idle gear 54-, the gears 54 meshing with the same operating gear55 between guide plates 56. The gear 55 is carried by a hub 58 rotatableabout an arbor 59. Also on the hub 58 is a bevel gear 66 which mesheswith a driving bevel gear 6| rotatably mounted on an arm 62 of anangular bracket whose other arm 63 is secured to the wall plate 23 andcarries the arbor 59.

The driving bevel gear 6| is fixedly or otherwise mounted to rotate witha bushing 55 journaled in an extension 65 of the arbor 59 and in thebracket arm 62. The bushing 65 is mounted to rotate with a drive spindle5'! which is capable of axial movement relative to the bushing to theextent permitted by the abutments 68 and 69 on the spindle adjacent theends of the bushing.

A plate l'l extending transverse to the wall plates 23 and 28 provides arear cover for the sign structure heretofore described. The plate H issecured to the bracket arm 62 and has an opening through which thespindle 51 projects. The rear end 72 of the spindle projects to and issecured to rotate with a handle 13 having a detent or dog 14 and apreferably rotatable operating crank or knob 15. Secured about thespindle end 12 is a stationary notched member or locking gear 'a'l whosenotches T8 are adapted selectively to receive the dog '54. A spring 79yieldably opposes removal of the dog from the notches and, when the dogis disposed in a notch, the dog is yieldably held therein by the springto prevent accidental turning of the handle. The handle may be pushed byovercoming the spring resistance until the dog is free of the notchedmember, as in Fig. 13, and while the handle is so thrust it may berotated in either direction to the extent desired, thereby also movingthe sign web. When the handle is interlocked with the notched member,the abutment 6B is engaged as shown in Fig. 12 to prevent the springfrom moving the handle beyond the notched member.

The web is moved by causing either end to be wound on one roller and theother end 0115 the other roller. One of the rollers, such as thatindicated at E9, is mounted to rotate with the gear 53 by which it isdriven. The other roller 20 is connected with the associated gear 53through a spring Bi so that there may be relative movement and so thatslack in the Web will be taken up. This relative movement is necessarybecause of the differential movement which must take place between therollers when the web is coiled in unequal amounts or diameters about therollers. A detent 82 on the roller 29 is engageable with a projectionsuch as the gear-securing screw 83 to limit relative movement.

The legend to be displayed may be viewed directly or through means suchas a window 84 disposed in a suitable frame in the place where the signis installed.

When the handle is locked with the notched member and it it desired tomove the web to display a different legend, the crank I5 is grasped andpressure applied to it and/or the outer face of the handle T3 until thedog is free of the associated notch F8. The handle is then turned and,through the gearing described, the web is moved. From identifyingindic'la or simply by sighting the back of the web, or as may beotherwise suitably provided, the operator may ascertain at a glancewhen. he should stop turning the handle. A suitable opening (not shown)at the rear of the web may be provided for this purpose. The handle maycome to rest with the detent held engaged with the notched memberbetween successive notches. In such event a slight turning of the handlein either direction will bring the detent in alinement with a notch and,when this is done and the hand pressure on the handle withdrawn, thespring E9 will snap the detent 14 into the notch and thus preventmovement of the legend being displayed.

Instead of providing the handle with a crank, the handle may be of anyother character such as that shown in Fig. 14, where the handle I3 has adepressed portion 86 adapted to receive a finger of the hand. The fingeris pushed to overcome the spring pressure and release the handle dog 74and then, while the push is maintained, the finger, by virtue of itsengagement with the side wall of the depression, is enabled to impart aturning movement to the handle.

Irrespective of the position of the handle relative to the lockingmember ll, the latter is always covered by the handle. Thus not onlydoes the handle have a trim appearance but in addition the fingers andsleeve of the operator are protected against being pinched between thehandle and the locking member.

A modified operating mechanism appears in Figs. 15 and 16. Here thebevel gearing is dispensed with and the entire mechanism is disposedbearing 96 secured to awall plate 91 andin'a bearing 98 carried by aplate 99irnou nted as by the posts I on the plate 91. "Theplate' 99 hasa circular series of recesses or holes I91 adapted selectively toreceive a dog I02 carriedjby the handle 93. The dog is urged toward "theplate 91 by a spring I03. When the dog is disposedtin a recess llll thehandle is held irom' being turned accidentally. Rotation of the handleis effected after the crank I94 is pusheduntil the dog is free, byturning the crank, causing the gearing to operate in amanner readilycomprehendedto turn the rollers in one direction or the other, as thecase may be, and thereby, shift the web.

In the forms first described, the axis of rotation of the handle issubstantially normal to the displayed part of the web. In'Figs l5 and 16the axis of rotation of the handle 93 is substantially parallel with thedisplayed part ofytheweb, and the space between the rollersisutilized toreceive the hand of the operator, and part of the handle during theoperation of the mechanism.

In the form of the invention appearing in Figs. 17 and 18, the collar 68of Fig. 13 is replacedby a bevel or miter gear H9 held on the angular orSince the gear 60 is always meshed with the gear 5 I, it follows thatwhen the gear 60 is also meshed with the gear Hi! all of these gears arelocked and hence no rotation of the handle can occur. By pushing thehandle l M against the spring] 11. untilthe gear I I0 is free of thegear 69, as -shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1'7, the handle maybe; ro-'tated in either direction to adjust the sign.

Sincethe gears are designed to intermesh, they of course have the samecircular pitch. "Accordingly, for each movement of. the handle throughone-half the circular pitch of the gear 6|, each of the gears 69 and H9will bemoved oppositely to the other through one-half the circularpitch, so that the relative movement between the gears 60 and Hllisequal to the circular pitch. This movement places the gears .60 and H0in positions for intermeshing when the handle is released. It isthusevident that in one revolution of the handle it may be; locked in anumber of positions equalto twice the num ber of teeth on either of thegears GI and H0,

In the form of the invention appearing in Figs. 19 and 20, frictionalrather than positive retaining means are provided. To this end, thehandle 13 carries a strip Ma through which' the spindle end 12. passes,the strip being held against turning relative to the handle by a pin l6mounted on either member but preferably on the handle.

Disposed about the spindle end is a stationary plate Tia. having afrusto-conical seat Hairletionally engageable by the inclined'ends "llbfif the strip. This engagement ieyieldablyfmain-fl tained by thespring I9 between the stripand The spindle extends outward throughthe'platejthe pressure of the spring being such as to firmly restrainthehandle from undesired turning; The handle might be turned while thisrestraining influence is present, but only with difficulty." This.difliculty may be readily removed simply bypushing the handle forwardagainst the action of the spring until the strip is free of the'plateseat 180., when the'crank 15 may be grasped and the handle easilyrotated. When the handle is released, the spring will act automaticallyto hold the handle in the desired position of adjustment, and it will beobserved that the number of adjustments possible is infinite.

When it is desired to remove the web in accordance with any of the formsof my invention,this may be accomplished irrespective of the typeofmanipulating mechanism employed by simply releasing the roller trunnions26 from the releasable bearings, swinging the rollers transversely freeof such bearings and then Withdrawing the other trunnions 2! of therollers from their respective bearings. The latter bearings affordsufficient clearance to permit this movernent without injury to thebearings or to the cooperating trunnions 2|, while providing amplebearing surface. The rollers and web may be installed simply byreversing this process.

I'am aware that reversals of parts may be resorted to and that numerousdetails of construction may be varied through a wide range withoutdeparting from the principles of this invention. I therefore do notpurpose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than asnecessitated by the prior art.

I claim:

1. 'A sign comprising a movable part having sign characters,rotary'drive mechanism connected with said part for moving said part todisplay different characters, a rotary actuating spindle axiallyshiftable and drivablyconnected'to said mechanisrma rotary dished handledrivably connected to said spindle, stationary engaging means in saidhandle and between said handle and said mechanism, cooperative engagingmeans secured to and within said handle, and a spring urging said handleaway fromsaid mechanism to yieldablywhold said means interengaged andthereby restrain turning of said handle. I

2. A signcomprising a sign element having legends and adapted to bemoved to display selectively each of its legends, rotary means includinga cup-like handle connected to said element for moving, the same, aplate adjacent the rim of the handle and forming therewith an enclosure,and releasable interlockable means carried by said plate and handle anddisposed in said enclosure. v

3. A sign comprising a sign element having legends andadapted to bemoved to display selectively each of its legends, rotary means ineluding'a cup-like handle connected to said element formoving the same, a walladjacent the rim of the handle and forming therewith an enclosure,releasable interlockable means connected to said wall and handle anddisposed in having an axially shifting rotary drive connection with saidpart, a dished handle member on said'spindle, a stationary memberdisposed in said handle member, said members having interengageablemeans to prevent rotation of said handle, member, and aspring forholding said means interengaged, said means being separable in responseto a push on said handle member against the action of said spring.

5. A sign comprising a sign element, rotary driving means connectedthereto, a hollow handle drivably connected with said means and'having adog on its inner side, and agear mounted independently or" and disposedwithin said handle between the base of the handle and said means, saidhandle being axially movable relative to said gear and so arranged thatwhen the handle is pushed toward said means said dog is released fromsaid gear.

6. Asign comprising a sign element,rotary driving means connectedthereto, a hollow handle drivably connected with said means and having adog on its inner side, a gear mounted independently of and disposedwithin said handle between the base of said handle and said means, saidhandle being axially movable relative to said gear and so arranged thatwhen said handle is pushed toward said means said dog is release fromsaid gear, and a spring yieldably preventing releasing movement of saidhandle.

'7. A bearing comprising a member having an inner bearing surface and atransverse slot affording access thereto of a part to be journaledtherein, and a slot-closing member for retaining such part in engagementwith said surface, said slot-closing member having a bearing surfaceengageable with such part in opposition to the first-mentioned surface.

8. A bearing comprising a member having a groove providing apart-cylindrical inner bearing surface, a latch movably supported bysaid memher and having a slot adapted to register with said groovetopermit a cylindrical element to be moved transversely into engagementwith said surface, and spring means yieldably holding said latch ingroove-closing position.

9. A sign construction comprising a roller and cooperative bearingmembers for each end of the roller, said members at one end of theroller being formed to be telescopically assembled and disassembled,said members at the other end of the roller comprising a bearing sleevehaving a part provided with a transverse slot alfording access andegress of the other member at said other end of the roller, and a latchpart associated with said sleeve part and movable relative thereto toclose and open said slot, said parts having bearing surfaces engageablewith opposed portions of said other member when said slot is closed.

10. A variable sign comprising a support, a fixed arbor thereon, arotary member on said arbor and adapted to move a sign element, a bevelgear connected to said rotary member, said arbor having an extensionbeyond said gear, said extension having a bearing opening transverse tothe axis of the gear, another bevel gear engaging the first gear andjournaled in said opening, and an actuating member drivably connectedwith said other gear.

1.1. A variable sign comprising an arbor, a member rotatably mounted onsaid arbor and adapted to move a sign element, a bevel gear connected tosaid member, meansholding said arbor stationary, another bevel gearengaging the first gear, means comprising bearing surfaces on said arborand second gear for supporting said second gear, and an actuating memberdrivably connected with said second gear.

12. A variable sign comprising amovable sign element, a support, anarbor fixed thereto, a rotary driven member journaled on said arbor and.operatively connected with said element for moving thesame, a drivemember in journaled relation to said arbor and in driving relation, tosaid .driven member, an actuating handle drivably connected to saiddrive member and shiftable relative thereto while so connected, meansengageable with said handle and fixed to said support for. restrainingrotation of said handle in a predetermined position of said handle,andyieldable means for maintaining such engagement.

1 3. A variable sign including a rotary drive mechanism comprising anaxially shiftable cuplike handle with its outer side outermost, astationary member within said handle when said handle is in its innerand outer positions, said member and the inner side of said handlehaving rotation-restraining means which are free of each other whensaidhandle is in its inner position to permit rotation of said handle andinter-- engaged .when said handle is in its outer positiontopreventrotation of said handle, and yieldable means within said handlefor urging said handle to its outer position.

14. A variable sign including a rotary drive mechanism comprising anaxially shiitable cuplike .handle with its outer side outermost, astationary-member within said handle when said handle .isin its innerand outer positions, said member and said handle having interengageablemeans which are free of each other when said handle. is in its innerposition to permit rotation of said handle and interengaged so tostrainrotation of said handle when said handle is in its outer position,and yielc ble for urging. said handle to its outer position, the outerside of said handle having an eccentric ope ing of a size to admit partof the operators finger for releasing and rotating said handle.

15. A sign comprising a rotary part, a spindle havinghaniaxiallyshifting rotary driving cor.- nection with said part, a dished handlemember on said spindle, a stationary member disposed in said handlemember, said members having frictionally..interengageable means torestrain rotation of said'handle member, and a spring for holding. saidmeans interengaged, said beingdisengageable in response to a push onsaid handle member against the action of said spring.

16. A bearing comprising a cylindrical part having a slot extendinglongitudinally of the axis of said part from an end thereof and adaptedto rotatably receive a cylindrical element, a collar part rotatablerelative to and about said cylindrical part, a stop, a spring yieldablyholding aid collarpart against said stop in slot-closing position andinsubstantial engagement with said element, said collar part having aslot and being manually turnable against the action of said spring toregister the slots for admitting element to, and enabling said elementto be removed from, the first slot.

17. A bearing comprising a cylindrical part having'a. slot extendinglongitudinally of the axis of said part from an end thereof and adaptedto rotatably receive a-cylindrical element, a collar part rotatablerelative to and about said cylindrical part,-a stop, a spring yleldablyholdingsaid collar part against said stop in slotclosing position, saidcollar part having a slot and beingmanually turnable against re actionof said spring to register the slots for admitting saidelement' to, andenabling said element to be removedfrom, the first slot, one of saidparts having an annular recess communicating with its slot and the otherpart having a projection fitting in said recess to maintain said partsassembled, said stop being removable to allow said collar part to turnuntil said projection is disposed in the slot of said other part wherebysaid parts may be disassembled and reassembled.

18. An adjusting mechanism for signs and ber of teeth in either of thesecond and third gears.

19. A sign comprisinga signelement having legends and adapted to bemoved to display seleotively each of its legends, rotary means includinga handle operatively connected to said element for moving the same,means adjacent the handle and forming therewith an enclosure, andreleasable interlockable means carried bythe first means and said handleand disposed in said enclosure. 20. A sign comprising a sign elementhaving legends and adapted to be moved to display selectively each ofits legends, rotary meansflineluding a handle operatively connectedtoyzsaid element for moving the same, a wall adjacentthe handleandforming therewith an enclosur" releasable interlockable meansconnected t aid wall and handle and disposed in said enc osure, and aspring for yieldably holding said means interlocked. J

21. A bearing comprising a member having an inner bearing surface and atransverse slot affording access thereto of a part to be journaledtherein, and a slot-restricting member forre- 1 taining such part inengagement with saidwlsur- WILLIAM G. HARTWIG.

